Hedrick to serve as grand marshal of Veterans Day Parade

U.S. Army veteran Jerry Hedrick, pictured next to memorials for veterans on the Square in Lexington, has been selected as the grand marshal for the 2013 Veterans Day parade to be held in Lexington on Monday.

Published: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 4:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 4:38 p.m.

Jerry Hedrick has devoted his life to serving his country as well as helping others who have been in the military. Because of his dedication to area veterans, Hedrick was chosen to be the grand marshal for the annual Veterans Day Parade in Lexington on Monday.

Facts

Want to attend?

The annual Veterans Day Parade in Lexington will begin at 4 p.m. Monday and will be held on Main Street between Hemstead Street and Ninth Avenue.

The parade, sponsored by the Davidson County Veterans Council, will begin at 4 p.m. on Main Street between Hemstead Street and Ninth Avenue. All military service organizations will be represented. The parade includes area ROTC members, floats, military vehicles, beauty queens and more. Six local marching bands will participate this year.

Hedrick said he is honored, as well as shocked, that he was chosen to be the grand marshal for this year's parade.

"It just about floored me because I didn't know anything about it," Hedrick said. "I wasn't even at the meeting because I was out of town. I didn't know they had picked me until I got back home."

Bob Leonard, commander of the Davidson County Veterans Council, said Hedrick was chosen because he has done a lot for the veterans in Davidson County.

"He is willing to help anyone do anything, and he and his wife are very active in the veteran community," Leonard said. "Plus, he's one of the nicest people I know."

Hedrick is a native of Lexington who had never traveled before he was drafted shortly after graduating from Lexington Senior High School at age of 19 into the Vietnam War.

"It was a rude awakening," Hedrick said. "I remember being on that bus going to Charlotte and being told that some of us would never make it home, and many of us didn't."

While serving in an armored cavalry regiment in the Army between 1966 and 1968, Hedrick was the commander of an M60 tank. He was discharged in 1968 and attended Rowan Technical Community College. He married his wife, Marie Bolin Hedrick, in 1973 and continued his civil servant career by working at the United States Postal Service until he retired in 2001.

Over the years, Hedrick has joined many veterans organizations including the AMVETS, the VFW, the DAV and the American Legion. During his tenure at the American Legion, Hedrick has served in several leadership positions. He was the regional post leader for 12 years and the state commander for the North Carolina Chapter of the American Legion between 1987-88. He has served on the national executive committee in Indianapolis, Ind., since 1992, where he is the senior statesman due to his lengthy involvement with the organization.

Between the times when he is traveling to attend national and state organizational meetings, Hedrick drives area veterans to the VA hospital in Salisbury and provides them with valuable resources to assist them receiving health care coverage.

"It gives me great satisfaction to know I am helping someone and giving back to my community," Hedrick said. "I like to be busy. The Lord has blessed me and my wife in many ways. Our whole lives have been devoted to helping veterans and their families."

Leonard said that the annual Veterans Day Parade is a way to honor those still living who have served the country. Lexington has held the Veterans Day Parade since 1945 when World War II veterans were returning home. Leonard said that membership in local veterans groups has declined over the years, and he hopes that the parade will encourage younger veterans to join their efforts.

"We are losing people because most of our World War II vets are in their 80s," Leonard said. "We have very few younger members who have recently served, and we would like to have their input. We are here to serve all of our veterans and those who are still in service. They might think veterans organizations are for old guys, but that's not the case anymore."

Leonard said the most important thing is for people to attend the parade and recognize the contributions of local veterans.

"I hope we have a good turnout," he said. "It is important to support our veterans and tell them that you appreciate their service."

Hedrick said he is looking forward to serving as grand marshal in the parade at least as a way to bring more recognition to veterans and their service to the community. He said that although it is not solicited, many veterans value any acknowledgement they receive from the public.

"We don't look for a thank you, but if someone does say it, it is appreciated," Hedrick said. "We have done what our country asked us to do. It makes you feel good when someone recognizes it."

Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.

<p>Jerry Hedrick has devoted his life to serving his country as well as helping others who have been in the military. Because of his dedication to area veterans, Hedrick was chosen to be the grand marshal for the annual Veterans Day Parade in Lexington on Monday.</p><p>The parade, sponsored by the Davidson County Veterans Council, will begin at 4 p.m. on Main Street between Hemstead Street and Ninth Avenue. All military service organizations will be represented. The parade includes area ROTC members, floats, military vehicles, beauty queens and more. Six local marching bands will participate this year.</p><p>Hedrick said he is honored, as well as shocked, that he was chosen to be the grand marshal for this year's parade.</p><p>"It just about floored me because I didn't know anything about it," Hedrick said. "I wasn't even at the meeting because I was out of town. I didn't know they had picked me until I got back home."</p><p>Bob Leonard, commander of the Davidson County Veterans Council, said Hedrick was chosen because he has done a lot for the veterans in Davidson County.</p><p>"He is willing to help anyone do anything, and he and his wife are very active in the veteran community," Leonard said. "Plus, he's one of the nicest people I know."</p><p>Hedrick is a native of Lexington who had never traveled before he was drafted shortly after graduating from Lexington Senior High School at age of 19 into the Vietnam War.</p><p>"It was a rude awakening," Hedrick said. "I remember being on that bus going to Charlotte and being told that some of us would never make it home, and many of us didn't."</p><p>While serving in an armored cavalry regiment in the Army between 1966 and 1968, Hedrick was the commander of an M60 tank. He was discharged in 1968 and attended Rowan Technical Community College. He married his wife, Marie Bolin Hedrick, in 1973 and continued his civil servant career by working at the United States Postal Service until he retired in 2001. </p><p>Over the years, Hedrick has joined many veterans organizations including the AMVETS, the VFW, the DAV and the American Legion. During his tenure at the American Legion, Hedrick has served in several leadership positions. He was the regional post leader for 12 years and the state commander for the North Carolina Chapter of the American Legion between 1987-88. He has served on the national executive committee in Indianapolis, Ind., since 1992, where he is the senior statesman due to his lengthy involvement with the organization. </p><p>Between the times when he is traveling to attend national and state organizational meetings, Hedrick drives area veterans to the VA hospital in Salisbury and provides them with valuable resources to assist them receiving health care coverage. </p><p>"It gives me great satisfaction to know I am helping someone and giving back to my community," Hedrick said. "I like to be busy. The Lord has blessed me and my wife in many ways. Our whole lives have been devoted to helping veterans and their families."</p><p>Leonard said that the annual Veterans Day Parade is a way to honor those still living who have served the country. Lexington has held the Veterans Day Parade since 1945 when World War II veterans were returning home. Leonard said that membership in local veterans groups has declined over the years, and he hopes that the parade will encourage younger veterans to join their efforts.</p><p>"We are losing people because most of our World War II vets are in their 80s," Leonard said. "We have very few younger members who have recently served, and we would like to have their input. We are here to serve all of our veterans and those who are still in service. They might think veterans organizations are for old guys, but that's not the case anymore."</p><p>Leonard said the most important thing is for people to attend the parade and recognize the contributions of local veterans. </p><p>"I hope we have a good turnout," he said. "It is important to support our veterans and tell them that you appreciate their service."</p><p>Hedrick said he is looking forward to serving as grand marshal in the parade at least as a way to bring more recognition to veterans and their service to the community. He said that although it is not solicited, many veterans value any acknowledgement they receive from the public.</p><p>"We don't look for a thank you, but if someone does say it, it is appreciated," Hedrick said. "We have done what our country asked us to do. It makes you feel good when someone recognizes it."</p><p>Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.</p>